Purpose, Impact, & The Stories That Define Us

Sienna Gaddy

Alumna

Class of 2018

Thanks to Mercer Law, I’ve formed life-changing relationships, including the most important relationship in my life–my husband. I first met him at a student event in June 2015 when I was an incoming 1L and he attended as a 3L representative. Once classes began in August 2015, we reconnected again at a social event and have been together ever since.

Mercer Law introduced me to Dean Karen Sneddon and Professor Patrick Longan. Each continues to inspire me on a daily basis, despite having graduated nearly five years ago. While in law school, I sought their advice constantly. Whether I needed help with career development or legal writing, both welcomed my myriad of questions and provided answers. I always felt heard and empowered—they fostered in me confidence and a sense of belonging. I owe much of my success to their guidance. Because of these mentors, I now serve as an adjunct professor at the Law School teaching in the Advanced Legal Writing Certificate program. It is a tremendous honor and one of the greatest joys of my life.

As part of our introduction to Mercer Law School, my 1L classmates and I toured the Superior Courthouse and the Federal Courthouse and met two judges, Justice Verda M. Colvin and Chief U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell, ’81. Both offered advice and encouragement. Two incredibly important figures in the legal community carved out time to speak to students barely hours into their legal education. This experience shaped my career in several respects.

My first impression of the judiciary was the willingness of Justice Colvin and Judge Treadwell to lift up the future generation of attorneys. Because they made time to speak to my 1L class, I began to understand the value of mentoring. Following their examples, I now prioritize mentoring and regularly seek opportunities to engage with law students.

This experience also led me to explore judicial clerkships. Later that semester, Judge Treadwell served as a panelist at a discussion about judicial clerkships, a term I had never heard. At that event, I realized my post-graduation goal: I wanted to become a judicial law clerk. These early interactions led me to my current role.